Refugees

Being a child of immigrant refugees, I am perhaps particularly acutely concerned with the issues around immigration reform. Being an immigrant myself, having moved from the US to Ireland, I have a degree of understanding of what it takes to pick up and leave. I did not listen to Trump's State of the Union address but read highlights of the 80 minutes of speech making. I also read Kennedy's response. Kennedy's was so much more uniting and idealistic and hopeful. And then someone posted this poem by Brian Bilston called Refugees. It hit on something I've always said. There's no truth, only a point of view.

Great review of my novel!

Oh my, a reader has given me the greatest compliment - a 5 star review on Goodreads. I am so honored that Ellen took the time to read and review my book, The Naked Truth. She clearly read every word. Today, I am an author. I am so chuffed, over the moon. Thank you so much, Ellen.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2267302785 

"The Naked Truth reads like a fictional travel memoir with a “murderous” twist." 

Generation-D

Generation  D

I think Boomers should be renamed Generation-D, otherwise known as D-Generation.

• Our minds and bodies are degenerating
• Our political, religious and business leaders are being exposed as degenerates
• Our actions are causing degeneration of the climate and the earth

If that isn't enough... aren't we the earth's most degenerative invasive species with trigger-happy little fingers on the destruct button? Yep, Gen-D. 

Oh yeah, and they're also talking about Gen-D(igital) which transcends age and humanity. Do you get the sense that I'm feeling a little SAD?

Genius

I am not a genius.

- Albert Einstein

I am not a genius.

- R. Buckminster Fuller

I am not a genius.

- Steve Jobs

I am a very stable genius.

- Donald J. Trump

Hope

I just bought Pete Souza's collection of photos of Barack Obama during his Presidency. I bought the deluxe edition signed by Souza because I could get it from amazon.co.uk. It has sold out in the US.

The reason I bought it? When the images of the past deliver hope for the future, it's a powerful thing to embrace.

Perspective

It's amazing how much can be said with one word and one photo taken from a certain perspective.

Forgotten writers

Is it worse to be forgotten than never known? BBC author Hephzibah Anderson reveals the reasons why several famous and successful authors have been forgotten and suggests that it's up to readers to keep them alive. Finding the out-of-print books in second-hand book shops is half the joy. Yes it is. Fortunately, we have several charity shops in our town that carry lots of second hand books, as well as a second-hand dedicated book store. And I love them all.

Personally, I would rather be forgotten than never known. At least then there's a chance of being found again.

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20171010-the-great-writers-forgotten-by-history